UPDATE: 1 worker presumed dead, 2 rescued after mud rush at mine near Kamloops

(UPDATE: Feb. 2 @ 6 pm) - New Gold Inc. says the mud rush that is believed to claimed the life of one person at the New Afton Mine near Kamloops happened at 1:40 am today.

"A mud rush is a sudden inflow of mud from draw points or other underground openings," said a press release from New Gold.

The company confirmed that two rescued New Gold employees suffered non-life threatening injuries, while another contract employee is believed to be dead.

"This is a tragic incident and our sympathies and condolences are with the family, friends and colleagues that have been impacted," said the release.

The on-site emergency management system has been activated at New Afton, and the incident is being investigated by the RCMP, the BC Ministry of Mines and the New Afton internal investigation teams."

New Gold added that the safety and security of everyone who works at the New Afton mine is the company's top priority.

All activities at the mine site have been suspended while the incident is investigated.

(Original story: Feb. 2 @ 8:55 am) - A miner is thought to have died after a mudslide at a mine near Kamloops.

Two other miners were trapped at the New Afton Mine but later rescued, police said.

The gold and copper mine is run by New Gold.

New Gold said the surviving workers were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The worker believed to have died was a contract driller.

Activities at the mine have been suspended while an investigation is undertaken.

Tk’emlups Rural RCMP was called about the mudslide at about 2:24 am.

They remain on scene, along with other first responders.

BC Coroners Service has been notified, the RCMP said.

New Gold added: "The thoughts of the board of directors and management are with the family, friends and colleagues that have been impacted by this unfortunate incident."

Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation Bruce Ralston said he was "saddened to hear of the tragic incident."

"The New Afton Mine and those who work there are familiar to me, being one of the first sites I visited at the start of my tenure as minister," he added.

"I send my sincerest condolences to the individual's family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time."